Commodity Communicator Weekly

September 21, 2012

USDA ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN RELEASE TIME OF KEY STATISTICAL REPORTS BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2013. . . . .The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week, that it will begin issuing the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, Acreage, Crop
Production, Grain Stocks, Prospective Plantings, and Small Grains
Summary at 12:00 p.m. EDT beginning in January 2013. The current USDA release time of 8:30 a.m. EDT will remain in effect until January 1, 2013. The time for livestock reports currently released at 3:00 p.m. will not change. Click here for more information.

USDA, PARTNER AGENCIES, TO PARTICIPATE IN SERIES OF REGIONAL MEETINGS TO
COORDINATE LONG-TERM DROUGHT RESPONSE. . . . .Recognizing that recovery
from the drought that affected much of the farm belt will be a lengthy
process, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week the
scheduling of four regional meetings which will outline available
resources to assist with local, regional and state recovery efforts. Specific details will be announced
later, but the meetings will be kicked off in Omaha, Nebraska, on
October 9, with meetings to follow in Ohio, Colorado and Arkansas.
Click here for article.
USDA EXPANDS DROUGHT ASSISTANCE TO 22 STATES. . . . .Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week, $11.8 million in additional financial and technical assistance to help crop and livestock producers in 22 states apply conservation practices that reduce the impacts of drought and improve soil health and productivity. This announcement expands upon previous efforts and brings the total assistance to nearly $28 million.

The additional funding will allow NRCS to address the backlog in applications from the previous drought assistance signup, as well as accept new applications from producers interested in applying selected conservation practices to address drought, including prescribed grazing, livestock watering facilities and water conservation practices. Producers can also apply for financial assistance to re-install conservation practices that failed due to drought.

STALLED LEGISLATION KEEPING WATER FROM ARKANSAS FARMS . . . CBS Nightly News recently did a short story on the Bayou Meto project.
To watch the video, click on the following link: CBSNews - Bayou Meto.

ADEQ PROPOSES TMDLs FOR CACHE RIVER AND BAYOU DeVIEW . . . ADEQ is proposing TMDLs for several segments of Cache Bayou and Bayou DeView in Greene, Craighead, Poinsett, Jackson, Woodruff, Monroe, Prairie, Lawrence, and Clay Counties. Almost the entire length of the Cache River and Bayou DeView is affected by concentrations of lead that exceed the State water quality standards. The upper portions of the Cache River in Greene and Lawrence Counties are affected by high concentrations of total dissolved solids.

Written comments must be received by ADEQ prior to 4:30 p.m. on October 22, 2012. Following the close of the 30-day comment period, a written response to comments and petitions will be developed as soon as possible. All petitions and comments received during the public notice period will be considered.

Copies of the proposed draft TMDLs may be found on the following ADEQ website: http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/tmdls/defaultasp.
PRYOR PARTNERS ON BILL EASING EPA RULES FOR FARMERS . . . U.S. Sens. Mark Pryor and Jim Inhofe are teaming up on legislation to ease regulatory rules on fuel tanks for farmers.
To read the newsrelease, click on the following link: Senator Pryor - SPCC.
BARGE FREIGHT RATES RISE. . . . .Barge freight on the lower Mississippi rose to 750% over tariff -- its highest price this year on Sept. 18, according to USDA's weekly grain transportation report. Although grain barge movement was 47% higher than the previous week, it was 24% lower than last year at this time, even with an early start to harvest this year. This is obviously due to traffic problems as water levels on the river remain low. (source DTN)
FDA URGED TO SET ARSENIC STANDARDS. . . .After a Consumer Reports study found higher levels of arsenic in brown rice than white rice and higher levels in rice produced in southern U.S. states than in rice from California or Asia, the Food and Drug Administration may consider new standards for the levels of arsenic in rice as consumer groups call for guidance on how much of the carcinogen can be present in food. Arsenic is naturally present in water, air, food and soil in two forms, organic and inorganic. Inorganic arsenic, found in some pesticides and insecticides, can be toxic and may pose a cancer risk if consumed at high levels or over a long period. So far, FDA officials say they have found no evidence that suggests rice is unsafe to eat. The agency has studied the issue for decades but is in the middle of conducting a new study of 1,200 samples of grocery-store rice products. (Source: The Associated Press)
KYLE BALTZ APPOINTED AS AT-LARGE ALTERNATE MEMBER TO NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD. . . .Baltz and his brother Jeremy operate Kyle and Jeremy Baltz Farms near Pocahontas, Ark. in Randolph County. The farm produces row crops including rice, soybeans, milo and peanuts, along with cattle.
FARM BILL BECOMES LAME DUCK. . . .With a comment Thursday from House Speaker John Boehner, the farm bill officially moved onto the agenda of the lame-duck session after the presidential election in November. The 2008 farm bill expires Sept. 30, but farmers will not notice any major impacts until at least January when possible sequestration cuts would go into effect without new legislation.
ARKANSAS BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION PROGRAM ANNOUNCED NEW OFFICE LOCATIONS. . . . .Regina Coleman, executive director of the Arkansas program, noted the closing of the Benton office and the opening of headquarters in Forrest City and the administrative office in Little Rock.

Headquarters Administrative
523 East Broadway 4 Shackleford Pl. #202
Forrest City, AR 72335 Little Rock, AR 72211
870-692-6368 501-224-1533
501-325-4989 Fax 501-325-4989 Fax
FOREST PRODUCT EXPORT CONFERENCE OCTOBER 30 AND 31. . . . .The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation and Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation would like to invite you to participate in our Forest Product Export Conference. With more than 95% of the world’s consumers living outside the borders of the U.S., demand for wood products will grow much faster beyond our borders, which is why it is essential for producers to look beyond our borders and take advantage of the growing international markets. To register or for more information visit our website http://www.arfb.com/ag-markets-statistics/forestry.aspx

FARM BUREAU VEHICLE PURCHASE PROGRAM. . . . . Members now have a better way to buy a new or used vehicle through this easy to use program. Benefits include in-depth price reports, target prices, estimated values and certified dealers. The $500 GM incentive for members is already built into the system for qualifying vehicles. Complete details at www.FBVerify.com/Drive. (https://fb.secure.zag.com/member-login-form.html)